Folding card table



Feb. 21, 1939. E. w. EDWARDS 2,147,972

FOLDING CARD TABLE v Filed NOV. 27, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 2l, 1939.E. W, EDWARDS 2,147,972

FOLDING GARD TABLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 27, 1936 Patented Feb.21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to an improvement in folding card tables, such asare used for bridge, contract, and other games.

The object is to facilitate and expedite the folding of the legs out ofthe way, and to this end means is provided for folding two legs at atime rather than each of the four legs individually and separately.

My invention, therefore, consists in legs connected in pairs pivotallysecured within the rim of the table top and at opposite sides thereof,together with means for simultaneously locking or unlocking the legs inpairs.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a bottom plan view showing the table in folded position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of one end of the table,showing parts of the legs as they would appear when folded;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of the upper portion of thetable with the upper ends of the legs in the extended position and partsof the top broken out;

Figs. 4, 5, and 6, are enlarged fragmentary details in section andperspective.

The numeral I represents the table having the usual depending rim 2extending all around the edges.

The legs 3 and 4 are connected together in pairs as shown in Figs. 1, 2,and 3, preferably by a tubular cross bar 5 by means of which they arerigidly secured together, and at opposite ends they are pivotallyconnected to the depending rim 2 of the table by pins 6 and l. Thetubular cross-bars 5 are located suillciently away from the pivots toprovide braces for and between the legs, and the better to lend rigiditythereto.

In the corners of the table are secured two forms of castings 8 and 9,and the pins 5 extend through the brackets t, and pins 'l through thebrackets 9. These two forms of brackets are only slightly diiferent fromeach other. The brackets 8 are in the form of a right-angle like anangleiron and t two diametrically opposed angles of the table, and thebrackets 9 are offset to'form a recess Ill, the purpose of which is toreceive and hold within lateral bounds the two inner legs.

While various means might be employed for locking and unlocking theselegs, both in the folded and open adjustments, one means only is hereindisclosed and it consists in sliding bolts I I, which extend throughguide blocks I2, in the outer ends of the tubular cross bars 5, andenter the openings in the form of notches I3, when the legs are extendedas shown in Fig. 3. Connecting rods I5 extend inwardly from the bolts IIto a lever I6, common to each pair of bolts, to which lever theseconnecting rods I5 are eccentrically pivoted at points I1, the leverbeing pivoted at its center on pin I8. A handle protrudes through a slot2@ in the tubular cross bar 5, by means of which the operator is able tomove the lever in one direction, or the other, accordingly as he desiresto lock or unlock the legs. A spring 2l coiled around one of the rods I5is connected at one end to the tubular bar 5 (see Fig. 6), and at theother end to the connecting rod, as shown in Fig. 6.

All of these parts, namely, the bolts II, connecting rods l5, lever it,and springs 2I are conveniently housed in the tubular connecting bars 5,except the handles I9 which protrude through the slots 2li in thetubular connecting bar, in order to be accessible to the operator.

It is readily appreciated that with the foregoing type of table andconstruction, the legs are easily and quickly opened or closed by movingthe handles IE! in the proper direction and by grasping two only of thelegs from one side only of the table.

It may be readily understood that the legs of the table may be kept intheir folded condition by the bolts II, which at that time are flush onthe inside of the bracket 8. The legs are adjusted tightly enough toprevent them from readily dropping out of place, and at the time thatthe table is tobe set up for use it will be necessary only to grasp twoof the legs and pull them from the table into the position in which theyare shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

In this way, a very simple scheme is provided for fastening andunfastening, folding and unfolding the table, and locking and releasingthe legs in pairs instead of individually, as has been the generalcustom heretofore.

Minor changes in details might be made within the range of my invention,and it is my object to cover and include these in the claim.

I claim:

The combination of a. table top, brackets secured inside each corner,legs pivoted to the brackets, tubular cross-bars connecting these legsin pairs at a point some distance from the pivots, guide-blocks or plugsin the ends of the tubular crossnbars, sliding bolts extending throughthese guide blocks in position to enter openings in the brackets forholding the legs in open position, an operating lever pivotally mountedwithin the tubular bars and having -a handle protruding through anopening in the bar, rods located within the tubular bars and extendingfrom` the bolts to the lever to which they are pivotally connected onopposite sides of the pivot of the lever, and a spring surrounding oneof the rods and having one end secured to the rod and the other end tothe tubular bar for normally sliding the bolts to a locking position.

EARL W. EDWARDS.

